WestJet to charge some travellers for first checked bag

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

You know what they say, if you gotta ask...

I think they are around $600 though.

Looks like it could contain a suitcase nuke.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

I don't feel sorry for the frontline airline personnel AT ALL here. Your company changed all the allowances, and you're the face of the company. Of course you're going to bear the brunt of it when people lose their minds.

Wow.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

I don't feel sorry for the frontline airline personnel AT ALL here. Your company changed all the allowances, and you're the face of the company. Of course you're going to bear the brunt of it when people lose their minds.

Dion's quote summed it up beautifully

Sid Cupido · Top Commenter
and this behavior is a surprise to the airlines? They insist on treating their passengers like penned cattle and when those same passengers react like animals the airlines are mystified? How idiotic are they?

I will continue to push my baggage limits when I have to, and if I get questioned by passengers I will gladly refer them to the flight attendant. The airlines created this problem, they can deal with it.

I still feel sorry for the front line staff. Sure the companies have made a mess of things and created this, but the poor employees have to take the brunt of that stupidity. It sucks when you have to deal with the mess that someone else created.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

I don't feel sorry for the frontline airline personnel AT ALL here. Your company changed all the allowances, and you're the face of the company. Of course you're going to bear the brunt of it when people lose their minds.

Dion's quote summed it up beautifully

Sid Cupido · Top Commenter
and this behavior is a surprise to the airlines? They insist on treating their passengers like penned cattle and when those same passengers react like animals the airlines are mystified? How idiotic are they?

I will continue to push my baggage limits when I have to, and if I get questioned by passengers I will gladly refer them to the flight attendant. The airlines created this problem, they can deal with it.

Originally Posted by Slava

I still feel sorry for the front line staff. Sure the companies have made a mess of things and created this, but the poor employees have to take the brunt of that stupidity. It sucks when you have to deal with the mess that someone else created.

Agreed, I suspect that there was zero discussion with the front line staff prior to this decision. Yelling at the front line airline staff is the same as yelling at the gas jocky that fills your tank or the 7/11 employee that sells you your over priced chips/pop/bottled water. It is useless and stupid.

If you are truely disgusted by the decision then contact the airline by mail/email and express your views (no I don't believe it will make anymore difference than yelling at the front end staff), but it might get it infront of the correct people.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Wow.

"Wow" what?

I work for a private company, and I'm on the front line as well. When things go sideways, I get all kinds of grief from clients; likely 10x what an airline attendant would EVER get.

Ever hear the expression "shoot the messenger"? When airlines create an environment when you can't call anyone, you can't talk to anyone, and treat you like a number with a wallet, you're going to reap what you sow. Flying can be pretty frustrating to the layman that only does it once a year, so when you get nailed with "surcharges" and someone loses their mind over it I don't feel sorry for the airline employees.

Should we all spare them the grief because "Corporate" came up with these ridiculous rules, and it's not their responsibility? Because to me that's a poor excuse.

Besides, at Westjet, "we're all owners"

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

"Wow" what?

I work for a private company, and I'm on the front line as well. When things go sideways, I get all kinds of grief from clients; likely 10x what an airline attendant would EVER get.

Ever hear the expression "shoot the messenger"? When airlines create an environment when you can't call anyone, you can't talk to anyone, and treat you like a number with a wallet, you're going to reap what you sow. Flying can be pretty frustrating to the layman that only does it once a year, so when you get nailed with "surcharges" and someone loses their mind over it I don't feel sorry for the airline employees.

Should we all spare them the grief because "Corporate" came up with these ridiculous rules, and it's not their responsibility? Because to me that's a poor excuse.

Besides, at Westjet, "we're all owners"

ermm I believe the expression is "don't shoot the messenger".

[Tron_fdc]

Not in my industry!

We always joke about it. If you're the messenger and the news is bad, you deserve to get shot.

Moral of the story: be prepared to deal with bad news, or don't BE the messenger.

[calgarygringo]

The biggest challenge is the fact that they have always had the bag size rule there they have just never enforced it. It is now coming to bite them in the back side for not using those bag size checks before even though they have been there for years just looking like a dust collector.
As a regular business traveler I would hope they do check people bag sizes and they do send the big ones to the baggage compartment. Too many times I have a carry on with my electronics etc. and someone tried to jam a full sized suitcase in the bin almost destroying what we have in there.
I also am waiting for the day some guys big bag drops out of a bin on some old person and kills them and the family brings a big lawsuit for it. maybe then they will learn that carry on means just that and if you want to bring your whole closet pay the money and ship it down below.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Not in my industry!

We always joke about it. If you're the messenger and the news is bad, you deserve to get shot.

Moral of the story: be prepared to deal with bad news, or don't BE the messenger.

Your industry sounds dumb.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

"Wow" what?

I work for a private company, and I'm on the front line as well. When things go sideways, I get all kinds of grief from clients; likely 10x what an airline attendant would EVER get.

Ever hear the expression "shoot the messenger"? When airlines create an environment when you can't call anyone, you can't talk to anyone, and treat you like a number with a wallet, you're going to reap what you sow. Flying can be pretty frustrating to the layman that only does it once a year, so when you get nailed with "surcharges" and someone loses their mind over it I don't feel sorry for the airline employees.

Should we all spare them the grief because "Corporate" came up with these ridiculous rules, and it's not their responsibility? Because to me that's a poor excuse.

Besides, at Westjet, "we're all owners"

Well here's the thing: that guy you berate on the front-lines didn't sow anything. He just happens to work for the airline and has to comply with their policies or find himself out of work.

[Regular_John]

This is really going to come to a head when it's -40 and everyone is looking to pitch their giant Canada Goose parkas into the bins along side all the carry on luggage and laptop bags.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by Slava

Well here's the thing: that guy you berate on the front-lines didn't sow anything. He just happens to work for the airline and has to comply with their policies or find himself out of work.

No different than anyone else with a job. If I get upset at the amount of grief I get I can always find a way to deal with it (talk to my employer, quit, etc etc).

I should point out I fly 50-60 segments a year, and I don't berate anyone, ever. I prepare myself properly and know EXACTLY what to expect from check in to departure.

My whole point is that I don't feel sorry for the airline employees when someone gets upset because of the rules the airline imposes. I don't blame the passenger who has a questionable carry on, I blame the airline for creating the situation. I get mad at the airline for creating longer lineups while they "police" the carry on size. I get mad at the airline when my flight gets delayed because there is no overhead space. I get mad at the airline when I see a mom struggle with a stroller, carry-ons, and kids trying to get it all on board because the luggage fees are outrageous.

IMO people need to focus on who is creating the problem, and it's not the passengers. We're all trying to work within the "rules", and when it causes issues I blame the airlines. That includes the flight attendants. Sorry, but they work there too.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

I will continue to push my baggage limits when I have to, and if I get questioned by passengers I will gladly refer them to the flight attendant. The airlines created this problem, they can deal with it.

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

No different than anyone else with a job. If I get upset at the amount of grief I get I can always find a way to deal with it (talk to my employer, quit, etc etc).

I should point out I fly 50-60 segments a year, and I don't berate anyone, ever. I prepare myself properly and know EXACTLY what to expect from check in to departure.

My whole point is that I don't feel sorry for the airline employees when someone gets upset because of the rules the airline imposes. I don't blame the passenger who has a questionable carry on, I blame the airline for creating the situation. I get mad at the airline for creating longer lineups while they "police" the carry on size. I get mad at the airline when my flight gets delayed because there is no overhead space. I get mad at the airline when I see a mom struggle with a stroller, carry-ons, and kids trying to get it all on board because the luggage fees are outrageous.

IMO people need to focus on who is creating the problem, and it's not the passengers. We're all trying to work within the "rules", and when it causes issues I blame the airlines. That includes the flight attendants. Sorry, but they work there too.

Tron it doesn't sound like you are trying to work within the rules.

Also, FYI strollers are gate checked, ie: you leave them at the entrance to the plane and they are they when you exit the plane.

I agree that people need to "focus on who is creating the problem"....FYI it ain't the front line staff.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Tron it doesn't sound like you are trying to work within the rules.

Also, FYI strollers are gate checked, ie: you leave them at the entrance to the plane and they are they when you exit the plane.

I agree that people need to "focus on who is creating the problem"....FYI it ain't the front line staff.

I absolutely do. I have a hard case (3D camera that fits the first carry on size) and a backpack for my laptop and clothes, that can be squished to fit the second personal item.

Thanks, I understand strollers are gate checked. But mom also has carry ons because she can't afford checked luggage fees. So not only is she pushing a stroller, she has wheel bags. I see this all the time.

You are correct, the front line staff aren't creating the problem, but as a representative of the airline they get to deal with it. Sorry.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

I absolutely do. I have a hard case (3D camera that fits the first carry on size) and a backpack for my laptop and clothes, that can be squished to fit the second personal item.

Thanks, I understand strollers are gate checked. But mom also has carry ons because she can't afford checked luggage fees. So not only is she pushing a stroller, she has wheel bags. I see this all the time.

You are correct, the front line staff aren't creating the problem, but as a representative of the airline they get to deal with it. Sorry.

I am not saying I don't agree with your frustations, but honestly directing them at the front line staff is missplaced.

If you want create change then point your efforts in the right directions. In fact, I would suggest you say to the front line staff "I don't agree with your company's decision. Who do I contact to complain?"

BTW, mom's don't have a carry on because they can't afford luggage fees, it is because young kids (ones that need strollers) generally need diapers/food/toys/books/change of clothes/blankee or teddy....an so on....

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I am not saying I don't agree with your frustations, but honestly directing them at the front line staff is missplaced.

If you want create change then point your efforts in the right directions. In fact, I would suggest you say to the front line staff "I don't agree with your company's decision. Who do I contact to complain?"

BTW, mom's don't have a carry on because they can't afford luggage fees, it is because young kids (ones that need strollers) generally need diapers/food/toys/books/change of clothes/blankee or teddy....an so on....

I think you're missing what I'm saying. If you read through my posts I never said I give it to front line staff, ever (I barely interact with them). I may blame the airlines for a lot of issues, but I'm always courteous and patient, because I understand the rules. They can charge $500/bag for all I care, I will work around it, and still have a (mostly) pleasurable experience.

I HAVE said that when other people do it, I don't show a lot of sympathy.

That's also a pretty sweeping generalization on what a mom is doing on a plane BTW. I have no idea what she's doing or why (neither do you) but what I DO know is they require a lot of space, and usually have a ton of baggage. Would that decrease with a reduction in bag fees? Maybe. Probably. But that's my opinion and I can't substantiate it (neither can you) but like I said, I fly a TON, and it's based on my observations.

The argument I'm making here is that boarding times would decrease, bin space would increase, and the average traveler would have a better experience if they got rid of bag fees. But when the average traveler gets mad at airline staff because of it, my opinion is have at 'er.

[Jimmy Stang]

Berating a flight attendant about baggage allowance is like yelling at the cashier at Esso about the price of gas. Take it up with someone who is responsible for it and/or can do something about it.

I'm not saying you berate front line staff (you've said many times that you don't), but I don't hold people guilty by association because of what their corporate big wigs did. Someone can make a formal complaint if they'd like, but venting at the flights attendants accomplishes nothing at all for anyone.

[Wormius]

The thing is though, what will get noticed? Raging at frontline staff and their response to it, or a letter writing campaign to the heads of Air Canada and Westjet? Maybe this isn't the nicest tactic to try to achieve results, but is the other route really going to be any more fruitful?

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Wormius

The thing is though, what will get noticed? Raging at frontline staff and their response to it, or a letter writing campaign to the heads of Air Canada and Westjet? Maybe this isn't the nicest tactic to try to achieve results, but is the other route really going to be any more fruitful?

That's the thing. No amount of letter writing, flight-attendant raging, or moaning, etc. is going to change the policy. Both airlines know that the alternatives to air travel are dreadful or non-existent, and they don't have any competitors to challenge them, so everyone is going to have to deal with it. Which makes venting at front line staff even more unnecessary.

[Ryan Coke]

I still say it isn't the lack of competition, it IS the competition that created this. If an airline like allegiant draws people across the border with cheap base fares then charges for everything else, that is what spawned this idea. If consumers had only used the airlines that kept free bags, and paid extra for that being included, then it would have stayed the way it was. But in many cases people voted by buying fares at airlines who had brought in the less inclusive pricing.

Again, I don't like it. But there are reasons this has come to be, and it is not lack of competition. Quite the opposite in many ways.